Ironing machine



p 7, 1943- H. H. BABCOCK 2,448,948

IRONING CHINE Filed June 19, 1944 6 sheats -shoet 1 INVENTOR.

Sept. 7, 1948. H. H. BABCOCK 3,

IRONING IACHINB Filed June 19, 1944 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 I l lwurdiuu p1948. H. H. BABCOCK 2,443,948

IHOIIING CHINE Filed June 19, 1944 6.Sheets-Shaat 4 IN VEN TOR.

HsRyHBabwc/n,

Sept. 7, 1948. 1

Filed June 19, 1944 H. H. BABCOCK IRONING MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 5mmvron Henry H. Bab coo/0.

Patented Sept. 7, 1948 UNITED s'rA're s PATENT OFFICE.

(on. 38-41) V 15 Claims. 1

This invention relates to ironing machines, and has to do .with domesticironing machines intended for home use.

In patent No. 2,346,374, issued April 11, 1944, to Frederick M. Freis,there is disclosed an ironing machine in which the motor is housedwithin the roll and drives the latter, while also operating the shoe formoving it to and from the roll, which is supported for rotation on abracket structure secured to the gear housing. The instant invention isdirected to an ironing machine having the motor housed within the rolland efiectlve for driving the latter and for operating the shoe, themotor also serving as part of the means for supporting the roll. Also, Itake advantage oi the positioning of the motor within the roll fordrawing air through the padding of the roll so as to avoid excessivedampness thereof, thereby assuring that articles being ironed areproperly dried in passing through the machine, which is conducive toincreased speed in ironing. An additional feature of my invention is theprovision of shoe coupling and release means operable from in front ofthe machine, adapting it for use with a cover having a rearward shoeenclosing section normally stationary on the stand or supportingstructure of the machine.

I also provide improved means for driving the roll and operating theshoe from the motor housed within the roll, directed to simplificationof construotion and reduction in the number of parts employed. Furtherobjects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detaildescription.

' In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a front view of an ironing machine, with the front sectionof the cover in open position, embodying my invention;

Figure 2 is an end view of the machine of Figure 1, with the coveromitted and the gear housing cover removed, partly broken away and on anenlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyon line 3-8 of Figure 2, certain parts being broken away and certainother parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 4 is an inner side view of the gear housing;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 55 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyon line 8-4 of Figure 2, certain parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 'l is a sectional view taken substantially on line 1-1 ofFigure6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view, taken substantially on line H of Figure 8;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2-- of Figure1: A

Figure 10 is an. inner end view of the motor casing;

Figure 11 is a view partly in section and partly in front elevation ofthe gear housing and the parts therein, showing a modified form of rolldrive and shoe operating means;

Figure 12 is an outer side view of he gear housing and associated partsof Figure 11, with the housing cover removed and the, lower portion 01the housing shown in section; and

Figure 13 is a sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken substantiallyon line l2ll of Figure 12, certain parts being shown in elevation.

I have illustrated my invention, by way of example, as embodied in anironing machine comprising a support or stand 20 having a top plate 2|of channel section both lengthwise and transversely, with end frames orlegs 22, of suitable construction, rigidly secured to and extendingdownward from plate 2! at each end thereof. A gear housing 22 extendsupward from plate 2| at one end-the right end'as viewed in Figure1-thereoi, the lower portion of housing 23 extending downward throughplate 2! between reiniorcing angle members 24 and 24', spot welded tothe underiace of plate 2|, to which it is bolted (Figures 2, 3 and 9). Aroll 25, supported from gear housing 22 in a manner hereinafterdescribed, extends inwardly over cloth pan or top plate 2| in spacedrelation thereto. A hot shoe 26 is supported in back of roll 25 formovement to and from the latter, by means which will be described hereinlater. v

The support or stand 20 is intended to be provided with a box-likecover2'l, comprising a stationary rearward section 23 and a forward movable section 2! hinged at 32 to section 22. When section 29 is in itsopen position shown in Figure 1, it provides an open front open top trayreadily accessible from in front of the machine for reception of ironedarticles. suitably mounted on cover section 22 for movement into asubstantially; vertical position, permitting opening of cover section20, as shown. and movement into a horizontal position resting upon cover21, when section 29 thereof is closed, providing a. continuous topsurface for the cover structure available for use as a table top. -Whenthe forward cover section 29 is closed it provides in cooperation withsection 28 a box-like housing enclosing the roll 25 and 'shoe 28 andassociated parts above plate 2|. related features constitute the Thecover 21 and subject matter of my copendingapplication for Ironingmachine,-

' connected by a wall 31 at the front and the back thereof,respectively, to the front and the back walls of gear housing 23. Thewalls 35-35'36, 31 and 32 deflne a passage 38 having a restricted upperportion opening into neck 34 and a downwardly flaring portion openingbelow top plate 2|, a short distance above the bottom of gear housing23. Wall 35 is provided at its upper portion with a semicircular recess39 (Figure 4) of less diameter than and concentric with neck 34. Ahorizontal flange 33 extends along flange 36 and the front and backwalls of gear housing 23, and seats on top plate 2| about the openingtherein through which the lower portion of the gear housing extends.

An electric motor 40 of suitable type is bolted to the inner side ofgear housing 23 in concentric relation to neck 34, with the outer end ofits casing 4| seating tightly against the inner end of neck 34 and theinner face of wall 35. Motor casing 4| is of sufficient mechanicalstrength to serve as a load supporting member for the-roll, and has theouter surface of its outer end portion 4| accurately formed so as to beconcentric with neck 34, into which it freely opens as shown. A

fan 42 is secured upon shaft 43 of motor 40 for drawing cooling airtherethrough, as is known. this fanalso serving to discharge air throughthe outer end of motor casing 4| and thence into and through the passage38. Motor shaft 43 is coaxial with a stub shaft 44, which is the maindrive shaft of the machine, rotatably mounted in a bushing 45 throughwall 32 of gear housing 23, with stop collars 46 secured thereon andcontacting the inner and outer faces of wall 32 forming a substantiallyair tight seal about shaft 44, for a reason which will appear presently.The stub shaft 44 is connected to motor shaft 43, so as to be driventhereby, by a flexible connector 41 of any suitable known type, whichaccommodates any slight misalignment of the shafts. It will beunderstood, from what has been said that the motor casing 4| is open atits inner end, as is known and as shown in Figure 10, for free flow ofcooling air therethrough. a

An inwardly flaring sleeve 48, formed of any metal or alloy of requisitemechanical strength and weight, is bolted at its outer end, by means ofan inner circumferential flange 49, to the inner relation to a secondrace 6| end of motor casing 4| about the opening thereof.

A bearing retaining ring 50 is secured to the inner end of sleeve 48,adjacent the inner end of perforated metal cylinder 5| of roll 25, whichcomprises cylinder 5|, a coarsely woven fabric pad 52 wound thereon, anda relatively flnely woven fabric pad cover 53 wound over pad 52, thestructure of the roll as a whole being such as to-permit ready flow ofair therethrough radially thereof. The sleeve and the flange 49 and thering 50 may be fabricated, as shown, or may be formed as a single piece,as desired. The retaining ring 'diaily outward thereof at the 53receives a ball bearing structure 54 of known type, fitting snugly, butnot too tightly, between the radially inward arm of ring 33 and rollcyl- Ring 53 is provided at its inner end with a circumferential flange31 extending rainner side of ball bearing structure 54 and of a width tooverlap the outer race of the latter. A ring 53 of leather or othersuitable material, impregnated with a lubricant to avoid objectionablefriction, is disposed between flange 51 and the. ball bearing structure.54, the arrangement being such as to provide a substantially air tightclosure between the inner end of sleeve 43 and the roll cylinder II. Itwill be noted that the radially inner arm of ring ll extends'a shortdistance beyond the ball bearing structure 54, toward the adjacent endof roll cylinder 5|, serving as a stop for flange I1 and preventing thesealing ring 53 from being forced into binding contact with the ballbearing structure. The ring 53 is not essential and may be omitted wherethe parts are fitted sufllciently accurately to prevent objectionableleakage of air therethrough. Preferably,;though not necessarily, ascreen 59 may be provided in the inner end of roll cylinder 5|, having afriction flt therein.

A bearing race 50 is spot welded or otherwise suitably secured in rollcylinder II, a short distance from the outer end thereof, in cooperatmgthe motor casing 4|. The races 63 and 6| receive between them bearingballs 62 conveniently mounted in a suitable cage 83. An internal ringgear 64 is welded or otherwise suitably secured in roll cylinder 5|, andhas an outwardly extending portion free of gear teeth. Two sectionalmetal rings 65, clamping between them a sealing ring 63 of felt, leatheror other, suitable material, are secured in a suitable manner, as bymeans of screws, to the outer end of ring gear 64. The ring 66 fltssnugly about motor casing 4| so as to provide a substantially air tightseal thereabout. The sealing ring 66 may be impregnated with a suitablelubricant, if found desirable, to avoid objectionable friction, and,within the broader aspects of my invention, any other suitable means maybe provided for effecting a substantially air tight closure between theouter end of the roll cylinder and the'motor casing. It willbe seen thatthe motor 40 and the sleeve 43 support the roll, the sleeve providing afunnel for supplying air in adequate amount to the motor, and that thespace 61 between sleeve 48 and roll cylinder 5| has a decided taperinwardly lengthwise of the latter and is closed substantially air tightat each end. The ball bearing structures at each end of the roll serveboth as radial and thrust bearings and support the roll for rotationabout the common axis of motor 40 and sleeve 43.

Motor casing 4| is provided, at the lower portion of its outer end. withan arcuate recess ex tending radially inward thereof and defining apocket 69 partly closed at its lower side by an arched plate 10, seatingat its ends in recesses in casing 4| and secured thereto by screws, theouter face of the plate 10 merging into and forming a continuation ofthe outer'circumferential surface of end portion 4| of casing 4|, in thearea of the sealing ring 53. Plate II is of materially less width thanthe length of pocket 66, which receives in its inner portion a spurpinion meshing with ring gear 64. Pinion 1| is secured on the inner endof a roll drive shaft 12 [suitably secured on rotatably mounted inbosses ll and ll of walls "and ll, respectively, and driven from themotor II in proper direction for rotating roll ll in a clockwisedirection as viewed in Figure 2.

A worm "ll is secured on the outer end of stub shaft ll and meshes witha worm wheel ll secured on a horizontal shaft I1 rotatably mountedjecting outward from wall 32, each provided at its outer end with aremovable cap plate ll. Sleeve ll is'prcvided with a disc l! at itsouter end and, intermediate its ends, with an eccentric ll flttingbetween bosses ll and in cooperation therewith restraining sleeve llagainst endwise movement. A- bevel gearll, loose on shaft ll, at theopposite side of worm wheel I8 from sleeve ll, has secured thereto aclutch member l! which cooperates with a clutch member ll feathered onshaft 11 between boss ll andbevel gear ll. A shift lever l1, pivoted atll on a lug ll projecting from the front wall of gear-housing ll, hasoperating connection at its upper end, in a known manner, to clutchmember ll. Lever ll has pin and slot connection 90, at its lower end, tothe rearward end of a rod 92 of the front wall of gear housing ll, therebeing a knob 94 secured on the outer end of rod 9|. It will be seen thatwhen motor ll is in operation the shaft 11 is driven continuously andbevel gear may be clutched to and declutched from shaft I1 so;as to bedriven thereby or not, as desired. Bevel gear ll meshes with a bevelgear 95 secured on the upper end of a vertical stub shaft 96 (Figure 3)rotatably mounted through a bearing boss 91 projecting outwardly fromwall 32 of gear housing 23. A bevel pinion 98, secured on the lower endof shaft 96, meshes with a bevel pinion 99 secured on the outer end ofthe roll drive shaft 12. It will be apparent that the drive of the-rollis controlled by the roll clutch means, comprising the clutch members I!and 86 and the shift means for the latter member. Any other suitablemeans may be provided for clutching and declutching bevel gear ll to andfrom shaft 11, within the broader aspects of my invention.

It will be noted from'Figures 3 and that the opening through the outerend of motor casing ll is somewhat constricted, and that casing II isprovided in that constricted area with a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced slots Ill Opening at their radially outer ends into space 61,these slots flaring inward to produce a venturi effect. When the motorll is in operation, the fan 2 draws air through the motor and dischargesthis air under considerable velocity through the outer end of casing ll.The air flowing over the inner ends of openings or slots iill inducesair therethrough from space 81, producing a partial vacuum in the lattereffective for inducing air through the roll pad 5! and cover 53. Theinward taper of space l1 lengthwise of the roll assures that air will bedrawn through the roll substantially uniformly throughout the lengththereof. generated during .the ironing operation, by the action of thehot shoe on the dampened articles being ironed, is withdrawn from theroll pad and discharged with the air beneath the top plate II. Thiscontinuous withdrawal and discharge of the steam, before it has beenabsorbed by the pad to an appreciable extent, assures that the roll istop plate 2i.

means a substantially dry condition, which avoids objectionable. drag orresistance to rotation of the roll when ironing due to excessivedampness of the roll' pad. which is conducive to more rapid ironing withthe expenditure of less power for driving-the roll.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, 3, 6 and 7, eccentric ll of sleeve llreceives thereabout an eccentric strap ill secured to the, upper end ofan arm ill operating in slottedguide lugs ill projecting outward fromwall 82 of gearhousing ll. The lower end of arm ill is attached by auniversal connection Ill to the forward end of a shoe shaft operatingarm Ill, which is fixed at its rearward end on the outer end of a shoeoperating shaft Ill rockably mountediin a sleeve ill disposed in back.of .and parallel with roll 2! and adjacent Sleeve "I is secured at itsouter portion in a relatively short sleeve ill integral ll slidablethrough a boss In that manner steam with gear housing 28, and has itsinner end secured in a tubular bracket Ill bolted or otherwise suitablysecured to top plate II. By rotating sleeve II, and with it eccentricll, the shoe operating shaft ill is rocked in alternately cppositedirections and to proper extent for moving the shoe ll to and from theroll 2|.

""1 provide half revolution clutch means for clutching and declutchingsleeve II to shaft 11 at appropriate times. Any suitable clutch meansmay be provided within the broader aspects of my invention, though Ipreferably employ clutch means similar to that discl osed in Patent No.1,867,839, issued July 19, 1932, to Rudolph W. Janda, ,for ironingmachine, a brief description of. which will suflice here, Disc l! isprovided with an outwardly projecting flange ill (Figure 6) concentricwith shaft 11, the outer face of disc I! being flat or planar outwardlybeyond flange lll. Disc It is further provided, in its outer face andadjacent flange ill, with a channel ill of appreciable depth, whichreceives a tension coil spring Ill. One end of spring Iii is anchored bya pin I I! to disc 82. At its other end spring H! has an eye Ill (Figure'l) which hooks over a tongue ill struck inward from a clutch operatingring ill fltting about flange ill and seating upon the outer face ofdisc l2, providing a closure for the outer side of channel ill. Anannular clutch yoke ill, of laminated construction, is disposed aboutflange ill andseats upon ring Ill. This yoke is provided withdiametrically disposed notches lil which receive angularly disposed tabsi=ll formed integrally with and projecting outwardly from ring Iii,these tabs being outwardly offset radially of the body portion of thering.

A star wheel ill, also of laminated construction, is disposed within thepocket or recess defined by flange ill and fits snugly about theadjacent squared end portion I20 of shaft 11.

A cdver disc iii fits about squared portion Ill of,

Flange ill has a slot llltherethrough which receives a clutch disc Illof a size and shape to flt into notches ill of star wheel ill. Clutch 7I yoke II is provided, in its inner edge. with a recess I 21 of properdepth to receive the portion of disc I25 which projects outwardly beyondflange I09, when this discis-in its outer or inoperative position clearof star wheel III, shown in Figure 8. The spring III urges ring H inclockwise direction.

Atrip member I20, disposed in back of shaft 11, is pivoted between itsends, at I20, in 9. lug I30 projecting outward from wall 32 of gearhousing 23. Member I2! is provided with a trip finger ill, at its upperend, projecting outwardly therefrom. A compressionspring I32, confinedbetween finger I3I and wall 22, with its ends seating about centeringstuds carried by wall 22 and finger I3I, in a known manner, urges tripmember I in clockwise direction, as viewed in Figure 3, about its pivotI29 and normally holds finger I3I in the path of travel of the trip tabsIIO of the clutch operating ring II5. The lower portion of trip memberI28 operates in slotted guide lugs I33 projecting forward from wall 32,and this member is provided at its lower end with a foot element I34.- Acontrol rod I35, slidable through wall 32 and flange 36 normally is held2 in its inner or retractedposition by a compression spring I36 disposedthereabout and confined between wall 32 and a stop collar I31 securedupon rod I35 and abutting flange 36. Rod I35 is disposed for contact atits outer end with foot ele--- ment I34 and has pin and slot connectionI38 at its inner end (Figure 9) to a trip lever I pivoted at itsrearward end, at I40, to a bracket I4I secured to the centralreinforcing angle member 24. Lever I39 extends forward to within a shortdistance of the front of top plate 2| and is provided at its forward endwith a downwardly extending arm I42 having a covering or pad of rubberor the like. The arm I42 is disposed adjaof the machine (Figure cent theright hand end 1), in-position to be readily actuated by the right kneeof an operator seated in front of the machine.

With the parts in their positions shown in Figures 2 and 8, theeccentric 83 is in its lower position and the arm I02 has been moveddownward, depressing the forward end of arm I05 and turning shaft I06 incounterclockwise direction, thereby moving the shoe 26 into its forwardposition shown, into operating relation with the roll 25. One of thetabsH8. is then in contact with trip finger I3I, spring I II is undertension, the recess I21 of clutch yoke ring I I6 is in alignment withslot I 24 of flange I09, and clutch disc I25 is disposed above shaft 11and clear of star wheel H9, with its outer portion within recess I21. Aspring pressed plunger I43 is mounted in flange I09, at the left side ofslot I 24 thereof, asviewed in Figure 8, and contacts clutch disc I25below the center thereof, yieldingly urging it outward and retaining itin its outer or inoperative positon. The clutch yoke ring H6 is providedwith an extension I21 of recess I21, of less depth than the latter, fora purpose which will appear presently. It will also be noted that withthe parts in their positions shown in Figure 8, the tabs II8 of clutchoperating ring II5 are in contact with the following edges of notchesII1.

In orderto move the shoe away from the roll, trip lever I39 is swung tothe right, thereby swinging trip member I28 in counterclockwisedirection- (Figure 3) and withdrawing trip finger I3I from beneath thetrip tab H8 in contact therewith. The lever I39 is actuated butmomentarily and is then released. When finger I3I is I21 is brought intocontact with clutch turns yoke ring been turned through one moved clearof tab III, clutch operating ring III is turned in clockwise direction(Figure 8) by spring III, moving the tabs I I8 out of contact with thefollowing edges of notches H1 and into contact with the leading edgesthereof. Spring III then urgesclutch yoke I I6 in clockwise rection, sothat the wall of extension I21 of recess and urges it inward. Whenone-of the notches I26 of star wheel II9 comes into alignment with slotI24-assuming that shaft 11, and with it star wheel H9, is be'ingrotatedspring III quickly H6 in clockwise direction forcing disc I25in-wardinto operative or clutching position, this movement of disc I25forcing the plunger- I43 into its inner or retracted position.Thereafter, the clutch yoke ring III holds disc I25 in itsinnr orclutching position, clutching the sleeve 19 tostar'wheel I I0, untilsleeve 10 has -half of a revolution. The other tab II 8 then contactstrip finger III, stopping rotation of clutch operating rin III. The yokeclutch ring I It continues to revolve with disc 02, tensioning springIII and bringing the following edges of notches II1 into contact withtabs H8, thus stopping rotation of clutch yoke I It. When that'occurs,disc 82 continues to revolve, further tensioning spring III, until slotI24 is brought into alignment with recess I21, at which time clutch discI25 is forced into its outer or inoperative position, by the, starwheel, and plunger I43 is projected and holds disc I25 in its outerposition, The parts are then in their positions of Figure 8, except thatthe opposite tab H8 is in contact with trip finger I3I, the eccentric a3is in its upper position and clutch disc I2! is belowshaft 11. Theturning of eccentric 03 from its lowerposition to its upper positionraises the forward end of arm I05, rocking sh-oe operating shaft I06 inclockwise direction, (Figure 2) effective for moving the shoe 26 awayfrom the roll 25. It will be apparent that by operating the trip leverI39 the shoe may be moved to and from the roll as desired. The-plungerI43 assures that the clutch disc I25, when in position above shaft 11,will be held in its outer position, projecting into recess I21, guardinagainst objectionable clicking or chattering, due to disc I25 beingstruck by star wheel H9, or possible jamming of parts, such as mightoccur if the clutch disc I25 were not held in its outer position.

The shoe 26 is supported by an arm I41 loose on shaft I06 and straddlingan arm I40 fixed on shaft I06. Suitable means is provided for couplingarm I41 to arm I48 for movement therewith, for moving the shoe to andfrom the roll in the operation of shaft I06, described above, and forquickly releasing arm I41 from arm I40 to permit of movement of the shoerearward away from the roll independently of shaft I06. The couplingmeans is similar to that disclosed in the above J anda patent, and abrief description thereof will suffice. Arm I49 is slotted at its upperend for reception of the reduced neck of a coupling head I49 secured onthe forward end of a rod I50 feathered in a thimble I5I screwin througha cruciform member I52 pivoted in shoe supporting arm I41, for rockingmovement about a horizontal axis parallel with shaft I06. A compressionspring I53, disposed about the rearward portion of rod I50, is confinedbetween an adjusting knob I54, secured on the rearward end of rod I50,and a cup washer I55 abutting the rearward end of thimble I5I and freefrom rod I50. Member I52 has a downwardly extending slotted arm I56 discI Jacent angle bar 24.

in which is pivoted a bell crank latch member I 61 disposed above a pinI66 secured in arm I41. When the arms-I41 and I46 are coupled together,the parts are in theirpositions shown in Figure 2, and the shoesiipprting arm I41 moves with shaft I46 for moving sh-oe 26 to and fromroll 26. The shoe is under spring pressure, determined by the adjustmentof thimble III, when it is to the roll. By turning member I62 Inclockwise direction (Figure 2) a proper distance, head I49 is disengagedfrom arm I46 and brought into contact with a slotted web I6Il of armI41, thereby uncoupling this arm from arm I46 and swinging it rearwardabout shaft I96 into a position limited by a stop I6I carried by bracketI99, whereby shoe 26 is moved rearward a greater distance than normalfrom roll 26. The coupling means sofar described is similar to that ofthe above Janda patent and need not be described here in greater detail.

In order that the shoe supporting arm I41 may be coupled and uncoupledto and from arm I49 from in front of the machine, the member I62 isprovided with an upwardly and rearwardly extending arm I62, in which issecured a shouldered screw I" having areduced shank I64 operating inslot I66 of an angularly shaped arm I66, fixed at its lower end on astub shaft I61 rockably mounted in a bracket I66 secured, as by bolting,to top plate 2I. The arm I96 and associated parts are so related thatwhen this arm is swung in clockwise direction (Figure 2), the shank I64of screw I69 is first subjected to a camming action effective forturning member I62 in clockwise direction, as. above described, andthereafter the "shoe supporting arm I4! is swung rearward away from roll25. In this operation the bell crank I9I moves by gravity, as the shoesupporting arm I41 moves rearward, into position with end surface I69 ofarm I16 thereof above and in front of pin I64, arm I1I of bell crank I61then extending forward toward web I12 of arm I46; as in the above Jandapatent. When arm I41 is swung in counterclockwise or forward direction(Figure 2) after the releasing operation described, the end surface I69of arm I10 of bell crank I91 contacts pin I66 and shoe supporting armI41 thereafter moves forward with arm I66. when coupling head I49 isproperly positioned above and adjacent the upper end of arm I46, arm "Iof bell crank I51 contacts web I12 of arm I46, turning bell crank I51 incounterclockwise direction. and releasing it from pin I66, after whichmember I62 turns in counterclockwise direction, in the continuedmovement of arm 10 lever I82 is connected by a link III to the rearwardend of release lever I66 pivoted at I61 on a bracket I66 secured tothe'front angle iron 24, adjacent the left end of the machine. Lever IIIhas at its forward end a downwardly extending arm I69 provided with aresilient covering or pad of rubber or other suitable material. The armI42 of trip lever I99 and the arm I69 of release lever I96 are disposedso as to be readily actuated by the right knee and the left knee,respectively, of an operator seated at the front of the machine. whenthe lever I66 is swung counterclockwise (Figure 9), the arm I66 (Figure2) is swung clockwise, uncoupling arm I41 from arm I46-and swinging armI41 rearward, in the manner above described. when shoe 29 has been movedrearward a short distance, in this uncoupling operation, it and arm I41continue to move rearward by gravity until arm I41 contacts stop I6I.During this rearward movement of shoe 26 and arm I41, the spring I" isplaced under increasing compression and serves as a cushion to retardrearward movement of arm I41,

preventing it from striking stop I6I an objection- I66, so as to movethe neck of head I49 into the slotted upper end of arm I46, completingthe coupling operation, as in the above identified J anda patent.

A second arm I19 is secured onstub shaft I61, at the opposite endthereof from arm I66, and extends downward through a slot I14 in topplate 2i. The lower portion of arm I13 is of increased width and isprovided with a lengthwise slot I15 which receives a pin I16 secured inan arm I11 rigid with a collar I19 fixed on a rod I19 slidable throughtwo of the reinforcing angle bars 24 (Figure 9) Rod I19 extendstransversely of plate 2i and is urged rearward by a compression springI69 disposed thereabout and confined between collar I16 and the centralangle bar 24. At its forward end rod I11 has pin and slot connection INto one arm of a bell crank lever I82 pivoted at I43 on a bracket I64secured to the ad- The other arm of bell crank ably hard blow such as tosubject the machine to objectionable shocks or cause possible breakageof parts. The release lever I69 and associated elements thus provide forquick release of the roll from the shoe in the event the operator'sfingers get caught between the roll and the shoe, or in the event suchquick release becomes necessary for any other reason. In order to effectthe recoupling operation, the operator grasps arm I69 of lever I86 withher hand and swings lever I96 in clockwise direction (Figure 9),swinging arm I66 counterclockwise (Figure 2), coupling arm I41 to armI46 in the manner above described.

Referring to Figure 2, the gear housing 23 is provided with an interiorswitch box I99, preferably formed integrally therewith, at its lowerforward portion. Switch box I9Il opens through the front wall of gearhousing 23 and receives a multiple switch block I9I, of known typconveniently carried by a mounting plate I92 secured in a suitablemanner, as by screws, to the front wall of gear housing 23. The switchblock I9I carries two switches, one for the motor and the other for theheating elements within shoe 26, each having an operating handle I94extend at oneend, is led through the bottom wall of gear housing 23 intothe switch box I96 thereof, and is appropriately connected to the switchblock I9I. A flexibly armored cable I91, connected to one of theswitches of block I9I, is led through the bottom wall of gear housing 29and thence through top plate 2i to shoe 26, to the heating elements ofwhich the wires of cable I91 are appropriately connected. A secondflexibly armored cable I98, provided with a quickly detach-. ableconnector I99 of known type, is connected to the other switch of blockI9I, from which it is led through the bottom wall of gear housing 23,thence upwardly through passage 39 (Figure 3) into motor casing 4I,through the latter outwardly of fan 42, along motor casing H to sleeve48, and then through the wall of sleeve 46 and into the inner end ofmotor'4I'I, to which the wires of cable I99 are appropriately connectedin 11 ments of shoe 22, under control of the respective switches of theswitch block "I.

The gear housing 22 is provided. at its outer side, with an outer wall200 extending upward a short distance above top plate 2|, and theforward edge portion of gear housing 22 is thickened at 20l. A lowercover plate 202 is secured over the outer side of gear housing 22,conveniently by screws, extending upward from wall 200. An upper andthinner cover plate 202. formed at its lower edge to provide a shoulder222' seating on the upper edge of plate 202 and a depending lip 222"seating against the inner face of plate 202, is secured over the outerside of gear housing 22, also conveniently by screws. The plates 202 and202 together constitute a removable cover for the outer side of gearhousing 22 whereby access to the parts therein mayreadily be had. Itwill be understood that suitable sealing gaskets may be interposedbetween the gear housing and the cover therefor, though not shown.

In Figures 11, 12 and 13, the gear housing 22 is of substantially thesame construction as gear housing 22 of Figures 1 and 2 and requires nodetailed description. Worm 12, secured on stub shaft 44, meshes withworm wheel 224 mounted on a horizontal shaft 205 rotatably mounted inboss 202 of housing 22 and in a bearing boss 221 projecting outward fromwall 22 of housing 22. A bevel pinion 202 is fixed to worm wheel 204,forming a unit therewith and this unitis confined between bearing boss20'! and stop collar 209 fixed on shaft 22!, whereby both the latter andthe unit 224-202 are restrained against endwise movement. The unitcomprising worm wheel 204 and bevel pinion 222 may be loose on shaft 205or keyed thereto as desired. Bevel pinion 202 meshes with a bevel pinion2|I fixed on the upp r end of a vertical stub shaft 2 (Figure 13)rotatabiy mounted in a bushing 2|2 extending through a bearing bos 2projecting outward from wall 22'. A bevel pinion 2, fixed on the lowerend of stub shaft 2| I, meshes with a bevel gear 2|! rotatably mountedon the outer end portion of roll drive shaft 2|, mounted for rotation ina bushing 211 in a bearing boss 2l0 projecting outward from wall 22'.

The gear 2|5 constitutes an element of means for driving the roll shaft2| at either of two speeds and for actuating the shoe operating shaft106, from the motor driven stub shaft 44. Such means is similar to thatdisclosed in Patent No. 2,054,631, issued September 15, 1936, to RudolphW. Janda, for Ironing machine, and a brief description thereof willsufiice. Gear 2|! is provided, at the outer portion of its hub 2", 'witha spur pinion 2|2, conveniently formed integral therewith. A ring member2|2, mounted for relative rotation on hub 2", is provided with a firstseries of inner teeth providing an internal ring ear 220, a secondseries of inner teeth providing an internal clutch element HI, and,adjacent its inner end, with a series of teeth providing an externalratchet element 222. A disc 222 is fixed on the hollow outer end ofshaft 2 l2, at the outer end of hub 2", and shaft 2|2 slidably receivesa hollow plunger 224 urged outward by a compression spring 222, confinedbetween a disc 222 seating in shaft 212 and the plunger. Plunger 224 isprovided with an outwardly tapering frusto-conical element 221 and areduced tip element 222 projecting outward therefrom. The body portionof plunger 224 is cylindrical and, in the outer position of the plungershown, contact the inin bosses ner ends of two clutch dogs 222 slidablymounted 220 and 22! formed integrally with hub 222 of disc 222 and withdisc 222 at the periphery thereof, respectively. these bosses and theclutch dogs being aligned diametrically of disc 222.- Hub 222 and shaft2|2 are provided with aligned bores which slid-ably receive the innerend portions of the dogs. Whenthe dogs are projected, the tooth elementselement 221 of ring member 2|2, clutching disc 222 and member 2|2together for rotation as a unit. An arcuate wire spring 224 passesloosely through dogs 222 and yieldingly urges them toward each other,while also restraining them against turning movement. When the plunger224 in its inner position, bringing element221 thereof opposite theinner ends of dogs 222, the latter are retracted by spring 224 andthereby declutched from clutch element 22l, at which tim the ring member2|-2 and the disc 222are free for relative turning movement.

A bracket 225 is suitably end of a thick rib or An operating leversecured on the outer boss 222 of gear h'ousing 202. 221 is rockablymounted on bracket 225, by a pivot pin 222, and extends up-,

ward therefrom into contact with tip 222 of plunger 224. Lever 221 isprovided at one side thereof with a depending finger 222 held incontact, by spring 221, with a cam member 240 secured upon the rearwardend of a control shaft 2 rotatabiy mounted through the front wall ofhousing 202 and bracket 220. A suitable handle 242 is secured upon theforward end of shaft 2" in contact with the front wall of housing 202,

which may be provided with suitable legends, such as "Fast," Stop andSlow, handle is moved to indicate the proper adjustments of the controlmeans for driving the roll at high speed, stopping it and driving it atlow speed.

A pawl 243 is'pivoted on bracket 225 and extends upward tli'erefrom intoproximity to ratchet element 222 of ring member 2|2, At its lower end,below and readward of its pivot, pawl 242 is provided with a forwardlyextending tab 244. A wire spring 245 is fixed at its lower end tobracket 22!, conveniently by means of one of the mounting screwstherefor, from which it extends upward and is bent about the upper endportion of pawl 242, urging the latter toward clutch element 222. Thecam member 240 is appropriately formed and has three positionscorresponding, respectively, to the Fast, "Stop" and Slow positions ofhandle 242. When handle 242 is in its Fast" position, cam member 240 isin its position shown, in contact with tab 244 of pawl 242, holding thelatter out of engagement with ratchet element 222, while permittingmovement of finger 22s of lever 221 into its inward position and outwardmovement of the upper end of lever 231 by plunger 224, then held in itsprojected position by compressing spring 222. In the Fast" position ofcam member 240, the disc 222 and the ring member 2|! are clutchedtogether, and the ring member 2|9 is free to rotate and is locked tospur pinion 2|2 of gear 2|2, by a spur pinion 24S rotatably mounted on astud 246 secured in disc 222 and meshing with pinion 2| 2 and with ringgear 220. The roll shaft 2| 6, and the roll 25, are then driven at highor "Fast speed from the motor driven stub shaft 44. By turning handle242 into "Stop position, the cam member 240 is so disposed as to holdpawl 242 in its released position shown, while also holding finger 222of lever 221 in its outer poover which the 222 en age the clutch 13sition, thereby holding the upper end of lever 281'in its innerposition, so that plunger224 is then held in its inner or retractedposition. The disc 223 is then declutched'from the ring member 2", whichis free to rotate, and the roll shaft 2 is not driven. 'When'handle 242is turned to "Slow position, the cam member 248 is so disposed as torelease the pawl 243, which is then moved into engagement with ratchetelement 222 and holds ring member 2|8 against rotation incounterclockwise direction (Figure 12), and to hold finger 238 in itsouter position, declutching disc 223 from ring member 2". The pinion 248is then driven counterclockwise by pinion 211 and travels clockwisearound the internal ring gear 228, carrying with it the disc 223 anddriving the roll shaft 2| 8 at slow speed. The roll 28 may thus bedriven at either high or low speed, or stopped, in the con- I tinnedoperation of the motor 48, by the drive and control meansabovedescribed.

Bevel gear 2|8 meshes, at its lower side, with a bevel pinion 288secured on the upper end of a vertical shaft 28| rotatably mountedthrough a bushing 282 in bearing boss 288 projecting outward from wall32*. Shaft 28| is squared at its lower portion, at 284, for reception ofa star wheel of an eccentric and clutch assembly 288. Below squaredportion 284 the shaft III is provided with a reduced cylindrical portion288 extending into a boss 281 projecting upward from the bottom wall ofhousing 283, the lower end of shaft 28| seating upon a bearing ball 88.The clutch assembly is similar to that. of the Janda Patent No.1,867,839 and requires no further detailed description. It comprises aneccentric 288 seating upon the upper end of boss 281 and receiving aneccentric strap 288 at the forward end of an arm 28| connected at itsrearward end, by a universal connection 282, to the lower end of an arm283 fixed at its upper end on shoe operating shaft I88.

In Figures 11 and 12 the parts are shown in the positions they occupywhen the shoe has been moved to the roll. The clutch'means of theassembly 288 is controlled by a trip finger 284 pivoted on a lug 288projecting from the front wall of housing 283, this finger normallybeing disposed for contact with one of the tabs H8 (in the same manneras in Figure 8) for declutching the eccentric 288 from shaft 281. Arod-288 is connected to the inner end of finger 284 and extendstherefrom upward 14 position without provision of of Figure 8. 'In thatrespect, as well as in having the eccentric contiguous to the discreceiving the tension spring, the assembly 288 of Figures 11 to 13,.inclusive, diifers from the clutch and eccentric assembly of Figures 2and 8 to 8, inclusive, assembly 288 being similar to the eccen trio andclutch assembly of Janda Patent No.

1,867,839, as noted.

A release lever 288 is pivoted at its upper, end

on pin 238 and straddles the lower portion of lever 231, extendingdownward into proximity to A 'set the eccentric and clutch assembly 288.screw 21!! is adiustably secured through the upper end of lever 288, inposition tocontact the outer face of lever 231 above pin 238. Lever 288is further provided with a rearwardly offset and inwardly extending tripfinger 213 .overlying pawl 243 and disposed to move the latter from itsholding position to its releasing position and to hold it in its latterposition, when lever 288 is swung counterclockwise about pin 238 fromits inner position of Figure 11 to its outer position. A cupped camplate 21] is secured on the upper face of assembly 288 for rotationtherewith,and is provided with a cam element 212 projecting radiallyoutward therebeyond. The cam element is disposed to contact the lowerend of arm 288 as the assembly is turned into the position which itoccupies when the shoe 28 has been moved rearward away from the roll.That swings lever 288 outward and, through screw 210, swings lever 231inward so as to declutch disc 223 from ring member 2|3, while alsomoving pawl 243 into releasing position and holding there, orpreventing, movement of pawl 243 to holding position if it is already inreleasing position. In that manner rotation of the roll 28 is stoppedautomatically when the shoe is moved from the roll.

40 When the assembly 288 is turned through the through boss 288 into ahollow boss 281 at the top of housing 283, which receives a button 288secured on the upper end of rod 288.

- Button 288 normally is held raised by a compression spring (not shown)confined between the button and the bottom wall of boss 281. in a knownmanner, so as to hold the outer end of finger 284 depressed into contactwith asembly 288 in the path of travel of tabs 8 so as to be contactedthereby. When button 288 'is depressed, the outer end of finger m israised into clutch releasing position, the eccentric 288 is clutched tothe shaft 28| for rotation therewith, and upon completion of one halfrevolution of the eccentric one of the tabs 8 contacts finger 284thereby declutching eccentric 288 from shaft 28L In that manner, shoeoperating shaft I88 is rocked in alternately opposite directions formovingthe shoe 28 to and ,from

the roll 28, as has previously been explained. Since the assembly 285rotates about a vertical axis, the clutch disc I28 will remain in itsouter succeeding half revolution, the cam element 212 is moved clear ofthe lower end of lever 283 and the parts are returned to the positionsthey 00- cupled prior to outward movement of lever 288. Accordingly. ifthe roll 28 was being driven at either 'Fast" or Slow" speed, when theshoe 28 was moved away from roll 28, the drive of the latter at theselected speed will be reestablished automatically upon return of theshoe to the roll. Likewise, if the roll 28 was not being driven whenshoe 28 was moved rearward, it will not be driven upon return movementof the shoe. That is advantageous, in that by setting the handle 242 atStop position, the shoe 28 may be moved to and from the roll 28, whilethe latter remains stationary, when'it is desired to use the machine forpressing suits and like articles, instead of for ironing, k

As above indicated, and as will be understood by those skilled in theironing machine art, changes in construction and arrangement of theparts of the ironing machines ofmy invention may be resorted to withoutdeparting from the field and scope thereof, and I intend to include allsuch variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, inthis application in ,which the preferred forms only of my invention aredisclosed. 1

I claim: 1

1. In an ironing machine, a support, a gear housing secured to saidsupport extending thereabove, a motor comprising a casing open at itsends secured to said housing extending inward 4 therefrom over saidsupport and having its outer end communicating with atmosphere, animperthe plunger I48 housing over said support,

forate supporting sleeve open at both ends secured to the inner end ofsaid motor casing, a roll driven by said motor mounted for rotation onsaid sleeve and said motor casing supported thereby and housing saidmotor, and a fan driven by said motor and communicating with the spacewithin said sleeve and said motor casing effective for causing flow ofair therethrough.

, 2. In an ironing machine, a support, a gear housing secured to saidsupport extending thereabove provided at its inner side with a passageopening to atmosphere, a tubular roll supporting structure comprising amotor having a casing secured at its outer end to the inner side of saidhousing and an imperforate sleeve secured to the inner end of saidcasing, the latter and said sleeve being open at their ends with saidmotor casing opening at its outer end into said passage, said structureextending inward from said a roll supported by and mounted for rotationon said structure spaced therefrom and housing said motor, a fan withinsaid structure secured on the shaft of said motor and communicating withthe space between said structure and said roll, a cooperating shoemovable to and from said roll, and means driven by said motor fordriving said roll and operating said shoe.

3. In an ironing machine, a support, 'a gear housing secured to saidsupport extending thereabove, a tubular roll supporting structure com-vprising a motor having a casing secured at its outer end to the innerside of said housing and an imperforate sleeve secured to the inner endof said casing, said structure being open at its ends for flow of airlengthwise therethrough and extending inward from said housing over saidstructure, a perforated roll supported by and mounted for rotation onsaid structure radially spaced therefrom with the space between saidstructure and said roll closed substantially air tight at its ends, saidstructure housing said motor and having openings into said space, a fanwithin said structure driven by said motor effective for causing airflow through said structure and thereby inducing air from said spacethrough said openings, a cooperating shoe movable to and from said roll,and means driven by said motor for driving said roll and operating saidshoe.

4. In an ironing machine, a support, a gear housing secured to saidsupport extending thereabove provided at its inner side with a passageopening to atmosphere, a tubular roll supporting structure comprising amotor casing open at its ends secured at its outer end to the inner sideof said housing in communication with said passage and an imperforatelengthwise tapering sleeve open at its ends secured to the inner end ofsaid casing, a perforated roll supported by and mounted for rotation onsaid structure radially spaced therefrom with the space between saidstructure and said roll closed substantially air tight at its ends, saidstnucture housing said motor and having openings into said space at thearea thereof of greater extent radially of said structure, a fan withinsaid structure secured on the shaft of said motor effective for causingair flow through said structure and thereby inducing air from said spacethrough said openings, a cooperating shoe movable to and from said roll,and means driven by said motor for driving said roll and operating saidshoe.

5. In an ironing machine, a support, a gear housing secured to saidsupport extending thereabove provided at its inner side with a passageopening to atmosphere, a tubular roll supporting stnucture comprising amotor casing open at its ends secured at its outer end to the inner sideof said housing in communication with said passage and an inwardlyflaring imperforate sleeve open at its ends secured to the inner end ofsaid casing, a perforated roll supported by and mounted for rotation onsaid structure radially spaced therefrom with the space between saidstructure and said roll closed substantially air. tight at its ends,said structure housing said motor and said motor casing having adjacentits outer end openings into said space, the latter being otherwiseclosed to said supporting structure, a fan within said structure securedon the shaft of said motor and disposed to cause flow of air throughsaid structure and across said openings thereby inducing air through thelatter from said space, a cooperating shoe movable to and from saidroll, and means driven by said motor for driving said roll and operatingsaid shoe.

6. In an ironing machine, a gear housing, a motor secured to saidhousing, a roll extending about and housing said .motor mounted forrotation about a fixed axis, a main drive shaft substantially coaxialwith the shaft of said motor driven thereby and extending into said gearhousing, a countershaft substantially perpendicular to and driven bysaid main shaft, 9. roll drive shaft, means for optionally establishingdriving connection between said counter-shaft and said roll drive shaft,a cooperating shoe movable to and from said roll, a rockably mountedshoe operating shaft, a sleeve loose on said countershaft comprising aneccentric, halfrevolution clutch means for clutching and declutchingsaid countershaft to and from said sleeve, and operating connectionsbetween said eccentric and said shoe operating shaft.

7. In an ironing machine, a gear housing, a motor secured to saidhousing, a roll extending about and housing said motor mounted for mtation about a fixed axis, a main drive shaft substantially coaxial withthe shaft of said motor driven thereby and extending into said gearhousing, a substantially horizontal countershaft substantiallyperpendicular to and driven by said main shaft, a roll drive shaft,means for optionally establishing driving connection between saidcountershaft and said roll drive shaft, a cooperating shoe movable toand from said roll, a rockably mounted shoe operating shaft, a sleeveloose on said countershaft comprising an eccentric, half-revolutionclutch means for clutching and declutching said counter-shaft to andfrom said sleeve, and operating connections between said eccentric andsaid shoe operating shaft.

8. In an ironing machine, a gear housing, a motor secured to saidhousing, a roll extending about and housing said motor mounted forrotation about a fixed axis, a main drive shaft substantially coaxialwith the shaft of said motor driven thereby and extending into said gearhousing, a substantially horizontal countershaft substantiallyperpendicular to and driven by said main shaft, a roll drive shaft, acooperating shoe movable to and from said roll, a nockably mounted shoeoperating shaft, a sleeve loose on said countershaft with the latterextending through said sleeve from one end and projecting beyond theother end thereof, means for optionally establishing driving connectionbetween said countershaft and said roll drive shaft comprising clutchmeans on said portion of said countershaft projecting beyond saidsleeve, an eccentric fixed one said sleeve, half-revolution clutch meansat said other end of said sleeve for clutching and declutching saidcountershaft to and from said sleeve, and operating connections betweens'aid eccentric and said shoe operating shaft. t

9. In an ironing machine, a gear housing, a motor secured to saidhousing, a roll extending about and housing said motor mounted forrotation about a fixed axis, a main drive shaft substantially coaxialwith the shaft of said motor driven thereby and extending into said gearhousing, a substantially horizontal countershaft overlying andsubstantially perpendicular to said main shaft, 9. gear on saidcountershaft driven by said drive shaft, a poll drive shaft, means foroptionally establishing. driving connection between said gear and saidroll drive shaft, 9. cooperating shoe movable to and from said roll, arockably mounted shoe operating shaft, and means comprising an eccentricand a half-revolution clutch for operating said shoe for said gear.

10. In an ironing machine, a gear housing, a motor secured to saidhousing, a roll extending about and housing said motor mounted forrotation about a fixed axis, a main drive shaft substantially coaxialwith the shaft of said motor driven thereby and extending into said gearhousing, a substantially horizontal countershaft overlying said mainshaft substantially perpendicular thereto, a gear on said countershaftdriven by said drive shaft, multiple speed'means for optionallyestablishing driving connection between said gear and said rollcomprising a second gear meshing with said first gear, a substantiallyvertical shaft, 9. gear secured on the latter shaft and meshing withsaid second gear, a cooperating shoe movable to and from said roll, arockably mounted shoe operating shaft, an eccentric disposed about saidvertical shaft having operating connection to said shoe operating shaft,and half-revolution clutch means for clutching and declutching saideccentric to and from said vertical shaft.

11. In an ironing machine, a support, a roll and a cooperating shoeoverlying said support, a rockably mounted shoe operating shaft, meansfor coupling said shoe to said shaft for movement thereby to and fromsaid roll and for uncoupling it from said shaft for movementindependently thereof away from said roll, shoe operating control meanscomprising an actuating member disposed at the front of said sup-' portadjacent one end thereof, and means for effecting coupling anduncoupling of said shoe to and from said shaft comprising a release andcoupling member disposed at the front of said support adjacent the otherend thereof, said actuating member being movable toward said pendentlythereof away from said roll, shoe operone end of said support forinitiating operation of said shoe and yieldingly urged toward said otherend of said support, and said release and ating control means comprisingan actuating member disposed at the fmnt of said support adjacent oneend thereof in position to be actuted by one knee of an operator seated,in front of saidsupport, and means for effecting coupling and uncouplingof said shoe to and from said shaft comprising a release and couplingmember disposed at the front of said support adjacent the other endthereof in position to be moved in releasing direction by the other kneeof the operator, said actuating member being movable toward said one endof said support for initiating operation of said shoe and yieldinglyurged toward saidother end of said support, and said release andcoupling member being movable toward said other end of said support foreffecting the shoe uncoupling operation and toward said one end of saidsupport for effecting the shoe coupling operation.

13. In an ironing machine, a support, a roll and a. cooperating shoe inback of said roll overlying said support, a rockably mounted shoeoperating shaft, a shoe supporting arm loose on said shaft, an operatingarm fixed on said shaft, means for coupling and uncoupling saidsupporting arm to and from said operating arm com prising a memberpivoted on said supporting arm for movement about an axis extendingtransversely thereof, means holding said member against movementrelative to the supporting arm in coupling direction when said member isin uncoupling position and for releasing said member from saidsupporting arm as it reaches coupling position in the movement of saidsupporting arm from its released position forward into its coupledposition, a coupIing andrelease arm having an angular slot thereinpivoted on said support for swinging movement toward and away from saidshaft, and a pin secured to said coupling member operating in said slotcooperating with said coupling and release arm for uncoupling saidsupporting arm from said operating arm and swinging it away from saidroll and for swinging said supporting arm toward said roll intocooperating relation to said operating arm and coupling it to thelatter.

14. In an ironing machine, a support, a roll and a cooperating shoe inback of said roll overlying said support, a rockably mounted shoeoperating shaft, a shoe supporting arm loose on said shaft, an operatingarm fixed on said shaft, means for coupling and uncoupling saidsupporting arm to and from said operating arm comprising a memberpivoted on said supporting arm for movement about an axis extendingtransversely thereof, means holding said member against movementrelative to the supporting arm in coupling direction when said member isin uncoupling position and for releasing said member from saidsupporting arm as it reaches coupling position in the movement of saidsupporting arm from its released position forward into its coupledposition, a coupling and release arm having operating connection to saidcoupling member effective for uncoupling said supporting arm from saidoperating arm and swinging it away from said roll and for swinging saidsupporting arm toward said roll into cooperating relationto saidoperating arm and coupling it in p sition to be moved in shoe uncouplingdirection by the knee of an operator seated at the ating shaft, 9. shoesupporting arm loose on said shaft, an operating arm fixed on saidshaft, means for coupling and uncoupling said supporting arm to and fromsaid operating arm comprising a member pivoted on said supporting armfor movement about an axis extending transversely thereof, means holdingsaid member against movement relative to the supporting arm in couplingdirection when said member is in uncoupling position and for releasingsaid memher from said supporting arm as it reaches coupling position inthe movement of said supporting arm from its released position forwardinto its -coupled position, a oouplingand release arm 1 having operatingconnection to said coupling member eii'ectiv'e i'or uncoupling 'saidsupporting arm from saidoperating arm and swinging it away from saidroll and for swinging said supporting arm toward'said roll intocooperating relation to said operating arm and coupling it to thelatter, and means for operating said coupling and release arm comprisingan actuating rearward movement 20 member pivoted for movement about avertical axis and disposed at the front of said support in position tobe moved in shoe uncoupling direction by the knee of an operator seatedat the front oi said machine and means for cushioning of said supportingarm.

HENRY H. BABCOCK.

REFERENCES CITED UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,867,839 JandaJuly 19, 1932 1,992,368 Geldhoi' Feb. 26, 1935 2,054,631 Janda Sept. 15,1936 2,136,722 McCabe Nov. 15, 1938 2,192,186 Dunham Mar. 5, 19402,230,061 Jensen Jan. 28, 1941 2,298,970 Russel et al Oct. 13, 19422,344,410 Rauk Mar. 14, 1944 2,346,374 v Freis Apr. 11, 1944 FOREIGNPATENTS Number Country Date 241,519 Germany Dec. 4. 1911

